Earth's changing surface chap 1
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29 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 topography | The shape of the land determined by elevation, relief and landforms |
| elevation | Height above sea level |
| relief | The difference in elevation between the highest and lowest parts of an area |
| landform | A feature of topography formed by the processes that shape Earth's surface |
| landform region | A large area of land where the topography is similar |
| plain | A landform made up of flat or gently rolling land with low relief |
| mountain | A lanform with high elevation and high relief |
| mountain range | A series of mountains that have the same general shape and structure |
| plateau | A landform that has high elevation and a more or less level surface |
| lithosphere | Earth's solid rock outer layer. One of four spheres into which scientists divide Earth |
| atmosphere | The mixture of gases that surrounds Earth. The outermost of the four spheres into which scientists divide Earth |
| hydrosphere | Earth's water and ice. One of the four spheres into which scientists divide Earth |
| biosphere | All living things. One of the four spheres into which scientists divide Earth |
| map | A model of all or part of Earth's surface as seen from above |
| globe | A sphere that represents Earth's surface |
| scale | Used to compare distance on a map or globe to distance on Earth's surface |
| symbols | On a map, pictures used by mapmakers to stand for features on Earth's surface |
| key | A list of the symbols used on a map |
| equator | An imaginary line that circles Earth halfway between the North and South poles |
| hemisphere | One half of the sphere that makes up Earth's surface |
| prime meridian | The line that makes a half circle from the North Pole to the South Pole and that passes through Greenwich, England |
| degree | A unit used to measure distances around a circle. One degree equals 1/360 of a full circle |
| latitude | The distance in degrees north and south of the equator |
| longitude | The distance in degrees east or west of the prime meridian |
| map projection | A framework of lines that helps to show landmasses on a flat surface |
| topographic map | A map that shows the surface features of an area |
| contour line | A line on a topographic map that connect points of equal elevation |
| contour interval | The difference in elevation from one contour line to the next |
| Global Positioning System | A method of finding latitude and longitude using satellite |
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